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Transforming Static Barrier Tissue Models into Dynamic Microphysiological Systems
In This Article
Summary
This protocol describes a reconfigurable membrane-based cell culture platform that integrates the open-well format with fluid flow capabilities. This platform is compatible with standard protocols and allows for reversible transitions between open-well and microfluidic culture modes, accommodating the needs of both engineering and bioscience laboratories.
Abstract
Microphysiological systems are miniaturized cell culture platforms used to mimic the structure and function of human tissues in a laboratory setting. However, these platforms have not gained widespread adoption in bioscience laboratories where open-well, membrane-based approaches serve as the gold standard for mimicking tissue barriers, despite lacking fluid flow capabilities. This issue can be primarily attributed to the incompatibility of existing microphysiological systems with standard protocols and tools developed for open-well systems.
Here, we present a protocol for creating a reconfigurable membrane-based platform with an open-well structure, flow enhancement capability, and compatibility with conventional protocols. This system utilizes a magnetic assembly approach that enables reversible switching between open-well and microfluidic modes. With this approach, users have the flexibility to begin an experiment in the open-well format using standard protocols and add or remove flow capabilities as needed. To demonstrate the practical usage of this system and its compatibility with standard techniques, an endothelial cell monolayer was established in an open-well format. The system was reconfigured to introduce fluid flow and then switched to the open-well format to conduct immunostaining and RNA extraction. Due to its compatibility with conventional open-well protocols and flow enhancement capability, this reconfigurable design is expected to be adopted by both engineering and bioscience laboratories.
Introduction
Vascular barriers serve as a critical interface that separates the blood compartment from the surrounding tissue. They play a critical role in preserving homeostasis by attracting immune cells, controlling molecular permeability, and shielding against the intrusion of pathogens into the tissue1,2. In vitro culture models have been developed to mimic the in vivo microenvironment, enabling systematic investigations into the factors and conditions that impact barrier properties in both healthy and diseased states3,4.
T....
Protocol
This design can be used in various modes based on experimental requirements and the preferences of the end user. Prior to each experiment, consult the decision flow chart presented in Figure 2 to determine the necessary steps and modules for the protocol. For example, if the user intends to maintain the open-well format throughout an experiment to directly compare it with the Transwell-type system, the patterning stencil is not required for cell seeding. The core module is commercially avail.......
Representative Results
The open-well core module is initially positioned within a specific cavity created by a lower housing and a coverslip, as illustrated in Figure 6A. Subsequently, the flow module, which includes a microchannel and access ports, is inserted into the well of the core module. The flow module is securely sealed against the silicon support layer of the membrane due to the magnetic attraction force between magnets embedded in the lower and upper housings, as depicted in Figure .......
Discussion
The aim of this protocol is to develop a practical method for incorporating flow capabilities into an open-well platform featuring an ultrathin nanomembrane. In this design, a magnetic latching approach is utilized, allowing switching between open-well and fluidic modes during experiments and combining the advantages of both approaches. Unlike conventional permanently bonded platforms, magnetic latching allows the platform to be disassembled at convenient points during the experimental workflow16<.......
Acknowledgements
This research was funded in part by the National Institute of Health under award numbers R43GM137651, R61HL154249, R16GM146687, and NSF grant CBET 2150798. The authors thank the RIT Machine Shop for aluminum mold fabrication. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.
....Materials
| Name | Company | Catalog Number | Comments |
| 0.5 x 0.86 Micro Flow tubes | Langer Instruments | WX10-14 & DG Series | |
| 1 mm Disposable Biopsy Punches, Integra Miltex | VWR | 95039-090 | |
| 1x PBS 7.4 pH | ThermoFisher Scientific | 10010023 | |
| 20 GAUGE IT SERIES DISPENSING TIP | Jensen Global | JG20-1.5X | |
| 21 GAUGE NT PREMIUM SERIES ANGLED DISPENSING TIP | Jensen Global | JG21-1.0HPX-90 | |
| 3M 467 MP Pressure senstitive adhesive (PSA) | DigiKey | 3M9726-ND | |
| 3M 468 MP Pressure senstitive adhesive (PSA) | DigiKey | 3M9720-ND | |
| AlexaFluor 488 conjugated phalloidin | ThermoFisher Scientific | A12379 | |
| Applied Biosystems TaqMan Fast Advanced Master Mix | Thermo Fisher Scientific | 4444556 | |
| Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA), Fraction V, 98%, Reagent grade, Alfa Aesar, Size = 10 g | VWR | AAJ64100-09 | |
| Clear Scratch- and UV-Resistant Cast Acrylic Sheet | McMaster-Carr | 8560K171 | 12" x 12" x 1/16" |
| Clear Scratch- and UV-Resistant Cast Acrylic Sheet | McMaster-Carr | 8589K31 | 12" x 12" x 3/32" |
| Clear Scratch- and UV-Resistant Cast Acrylic Sheet | McMaster-Carr | 8560K191 | 12" x 12" x 7.64" |
| Corning Fibronectin, Human, 1 mg | Corning | 47743-728 | |
| Cover Glasses, Globe Scientific, L x W = 24 x 60 mm | VWR | 10118-677 | |
| DOW SYLGARD 184 SILICONE ENCAPSULANT CLEAR 0.5 KG KIT | Ellsworth Adhesives | 4019862 | |
| EGM-2 Endothelial Cell Growth Medium-2 BulletKit | Lonza | CC-3162 | |
| Fixture A1&A2 | SiMPore Inc. | NA | |
| Fixture B1&B2 | SiMPore Inc. | NA | |
| High Capacity cDNA Reverse Transcription Kit with RNase Inhibitor | Thermo Fisher Scientific | 4374966 | |
| Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) | ThermoFisher Scientific | C0035C | |
| LIVE/DEAD Cell Imaging Kit (488/570) | Thermo Fisher Scientific | R37601 | |
| Molecular Probes Hoechst 33342, Trihydrochloride, Trihydrate | Thermo Fisher Scientific | H3570 | |
| Nickel-plated magnets (4.75 mm diameter, 0.34 kg pull force) | K&J Magnetics | D31 | 3/16" dia. x 1/16" thick |
| Paraformaldehyde, 4% w/v aq. soln., methanol free, Alfa Aesar | Fisher Scientific | aa47392-9M | |
| Peristaltic Pump | Langer Instruments | BQ50-1J-A | |
| Photoresist SU-8 developer solution | Fisher Scientific | NC9901158 | |
| PVDF syringe filters | PerkinElmer | 2542913 | |
| Silicon wafer | University wafer,USA | 1196 | |
| SU-8 3050 | Fisher Scientific | NC0702369 | |
| Target gene: eNOS (Hs01574659_m1) | ThermoFisher Scientific | 4331182 | |
| Target gene: GAPDH (Hs02786624_g1) | ThermoFisher Scientific | 4331182 | |
| Target gene: KLF2 (Hs00360439_g1) | ThermoFisher Scientific | 4331182 | |
| Thermo Scientific Pierce 20x PBS Tween 20 | Thermo Fisher Scientific | 28352 | |
| Transport Tube Sample White caps, 5 mL, Sterile | VWR | 100500-422 | |
| TRI-reagent | ThermoFisher Scientific | AM9738 | |
| Ultrathin Nanoporous Membrane Chip | SiMPore Inc. | NPSN100-1L | The design is compatible with all of SiMPore membranes |
| uSiM component 1 | SiMPore Inc. | NA | |
| uSiM component 2 | SiMPore Inc. | NA |
References
- Claesson-Welsh, L., Dejana, E., McDonald, D. M. Permeability of the Endothelial Barrier: Identifying and Reconciling Controversies. Trends in Molecular Medicine. 27 (4), 314-331 (2021).
- Vera, D., et al.
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